North Dakota Abortion Law Ruled Unconstitutional

A 2011 North Dakota law that outlaws one of two drugs used in nonsurgical abortions violates the state and U.S. constitutions, a state judge ruled Monday.

July 16, 2013

A 2011 North Dakota law that outlaws one of two drugs used in nonsurgical abortions violates the state and U.S. constitutions, a state judge ruled Monday.

After a three-day trial in April, East Central Judge Wickham Corwin said he'd rule in favor of the state's sole abortion clinic, calling the 2011 state law "simply wrongheaded." Corwin officially ruled on the case Monday.

"No compelling state interest justifies this infringement ..." Corwin wrote in his 58-page ruling. He already had granted an injunction preventing the law from taking effect.

Autumn Katz, staff attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights, which is helping the Red River Women's Clinic in Fargo with its legal challenges, argued that would essentially eliminate the procedure and illegally restrict abortion rights.